Aeroplane hull



Feb. 16 1926.

J. VON WALDY AEROPLANE HULL 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 8 Feb. 16,1926. 1,573,465

J. VON WALDY AEROPLANE HULL Filed March 8, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M @M501 ne up Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

- UNITED STATES IULIUS VON WALDY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AEBOPLANE HULL.

Application med march s, 1924. serial No. 697,915.

an Improvement in Aeroplane -Hulls, of

which the following description, in connec-l tion with the accompanying drawings, is a views taken on the lines 6-6, 7-7

specification, llike characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention aims to provide an improved hull for aeroplanes of the class embracing hydroplanes adapted to light on land and water.

In the drawings, wherein I have shown an embodiment of the invention for illustrative purposes,

Fig. lis a side elevation of an aeroplane embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the hull shown in Fig. 1; v i ;i

Fig. 3 is a side elevatlon of the hull;

Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken on the lines 4-4 and 5 5, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6, 7 and 8are fragmentary sectiona an 8 8, respectively; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary` sectional view of a wall of my improved hull. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the illustrative embodiment of my invention therein shown comprises a hull and an aeroplane superstructure 1, which may be of any desired type. As shown 1n Figs. 1

yto 4, the hull is provided with a plurality of landing wheels 2, preferably arranged in pairs with the front pair spaced widerapart than the rear pair (see Fig. 2).

The hull 1 comprises a rigid deck 3 to which is secured a portion 4 made of sheet metal, and this portion constitutes a rigid frame for supporting the superstructure and the ower plant (not shown). To the rigid sidey alls of the upper or gunwale portion 4 of the hull is secured a 11u11 bottom or hydro lanin portion A5l preferablyA made of iexlble reinforced fabric and provided with a plurality of inflatable compartments 6 (see Figs. 3 and 4).

In lthe illustrative form 'of my invention a cabin-7 is secured to the rigid deck and gunwale portion of' the hull to provide ample space for passengers. The side walls of the cabin are preferably spaced from the gunwale 4 and may be secured thereto by suitable brackets 8 herein shown as vertical open-work channels (see Figs. 4 and 5). The floor or bottom of the cabin is preferably supported upon the keel of the hull. To this end and also for strengthening the hull, a keel beam 9 is provided, extending throughout the length of the hull, and upon this beam is preferably secured an I-beam 10 (see-Fig. 4). Secured to the beam 10 are a plurality of cross beams 11 arranged at spaced intervals to provide floor joints.

Since the upper portion 4 of the hull and the side walls of the cabin 7 are rigid, it is not necessary that the space between them should be inflated. As shown in Fig. 4, the lower ends of the spaces between .these walls are closed by partition walls 12 secured to the brackets 8 and extending to the keel beam 9 below the floor joists 11 of the cabin. Thus, the size of the compartments to be inflated is materially reduced. The bow and stern portions of the hull beyond the ends of the cabin likewise are divided by partitions 13 which are connected to the beam 10 and the walls of the gunwale portions 4. Suitable truss braces 14 may also be secured to the gunwales, and keel beams and disposed at spaced intervals between this partition and the deck to provide a more rigid construction.

The flexible bottom portion 5 of the hull may conveniently be made up of a plurality of sections of reinforced vulcanized fabric having reinforcing beaded portions where it is bent at an angle (see Figs. 4 and 5) to strengthen the walls and maintain their shape upon inflation. As shown in. Fig. 5 these walls are divided transversely in 'two sections and are joined together at the keel beam 9. Also, these walls are preferably divided into a plurality of longitudinal sections herein shown as joined together adja Cent the ends of the cabin (see Fig. 3). Thus the sections may be made in relatively small units and shipped collapsed in a small storage space.

To provide a convenient means for securing the fabric wallsto the rigid portion 4 of the hull, their upper edges are shown as having reinforced beads 15 (see Fig. 7) adapted to be, clamped in a flange or rim 16 which is secured to the walls of the gunwale portion 4. The lrim is suitably shaped to receive securing lugs or clamps 17 to engage the beads l5 and has an inturned flange 1S at its top forming a stop shoulder for the lugs to take care of vertical thrusts.

rlhe lower edges of the flexible side walls are preferably secured to the keel beam 9.

I As indicated in Fig. 6, these walls likewise have beads 19 at their marginal edges which are arranged to be secured against the web of the keel beam 9 above the lower flange so that the lower flange will protect them if the keel of craft strikes obstructions upon lighting. rlhe beads are shown as being secured to the web of the beam by opposed clamps or lugs 2() bolted together through the web.

The edges of the sections of fabric arc preferably secured together in the manner shown in Fig. 8, being provided with beads 21 adapted to contact with the opposite sides of the marginal edges of a transverse partition wall 22 which serves to divi-de the hull into independent compartments. These beads 2l may conveniently be clamped together against the wall 22 by clamps 23 which are bolted together at intervals by bolts passing through the intervening partition wall. Obviously the partition walls may be either rigid or flexible as desired. Thus, the sections lof flexible fabric are firmly secured to the hull by continuousfastenings extending around their margins.' Y

The compartments 6 of the flexible bottom are preferably made water-tight and air bags 24 may be inserted therein through suitable openings 25 in the flexible walls 5 so that they are easily assembled for inflation, and may be removed for repairs.

The landing wheels 3 (see Figs. 3 and 4) are so connected to the bottom of the hull that the inflated compartments form pneumatic shock absorbers to relieve the superstructure l of shocks and jars incident to landing. The flexible walls 5 are preferably provided with pockets 26 partially housing the wheels. Rigid housings 27 advantageously made of sheet metal, may be slid into and suitably secured in the pockets to distribute the weight upon the wheels uniformly over the pocket walls. These housings also provide suitable journals 28 for the wheel axles. I veniently be shaped by suitable dies or other means to conform to the axles, and axle clamping plates 29 may be removably secured to this housing. Thus, the wheels are supported entirely by the flexible bottom 5 and irrespective of whether this portion of the hull is inflated, the walls serve as cushions to avoid rocking of the superstructure 1. upon landing on the ground.

The flexible bottom 5 of the hull as hereinbefore stated, is preferably made of reinforced vulcanized fabric. As shown in Fig.

. 9. the fabric walls comprise a network con- Sistmg or a series of Wire strands 30 inter- The iournal boxes may oon-y laced in a series of cords or ropes 31. l4` or convenience and economy I provide one strand of wire for every two strands of cord. On one side of the network of strands 30 and 3l (the inside of the hull) is secured a relatively thin skin of cloth 32 such as light duck and on the other side is a wearing surface layer ofk vulcanized rubber which penetrates the meshes of the network of reinforcing strands. This provides a waterproof fabric of suflicient strength and durability to withstand very rough usage and weather conditions to which it may be subjected.

My invention is not limited to the specific embodiment herein shown and described.

lVhat I claim and desire to Secure by Letters Patent is:v

1. A hull for aeroplanesl and the like oomprising, in combination, a rigid gunwale portion, a flexible bottom portion and means for clamping said portions together in watertight engagement.

2. A hull for aeroplanes and the like comprising, in combination,. a rigid gunwale portion, a flexible bottom portion and coutinuous means embracing their adjacent margins for clamping said portions together in water-tight engagement.

3. A hull for aeroplanes and the like comprising, in combination, a rigid upper portion and a flexible bottom portion made of a plurality of separable sections secured thereto.

4. A hull for aeroplanes having sheet metal side walls and a rubberized fabric bottom secured thereto, said fabric having a reinforced bead at its securing edges, said side walls presenting a flange for receiving said bead and securing means adapted to clamp said bead to said flange.

A hull for hydroplanes and the like comprising, in combination, a rigid top portion, a flexible inflatable hydroplaning portion, and a rigid keel, said flexible portion having longitudinal sections connected to said rigid keel and removably connected to said top portion.

6. A hull for hydroplanes and the like comprising, in combination, a rigid top portion, a flexible inflatable bottom portion, a keel beam presenting a protecting flange on the outside of said bottom portion and means to secure said flexible portion to said keel beam.

7. A hull for hydroplanes and the like comprising, in combination, a flexible bottom portion, a rigid keel for said bottom, a plutransverse beams constitutin floor joists secured to said keel, and a ca in secured to the rigid topl portion, the fioor of said cabin Vhousings, which housings are removably mounted in said pockets and landing Wheels mounted in said housings whereby the` inflated portions constitute pneumatic shock absorbers for said landing wheels.

10. A hull for hydroplanes and the like comprising, in combination, a hydroplaning bottom presenting flexible wall portions having a plurality of pockets therein, rigid housings removably secured in said pockets and landing wheels removably secured in said housings.

11. A hull forhydroplanes and the like, having separate flexible inflatable compartments on o posite sides of the longitudinal center line t iereof and a plurality of landing Wheels associated with the flexible walls of said compartments..

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JULIUS VON WALDY. 

